235 



ber of years than any other person has been, and died in office. 



The financial affairs of the company reached a crisis, in the 

 course of its transactions, that demanded more than their 

 resources could supply. It became known that certain persons 

 of large means, and sympathizing in their views, stood ready to 

 embark in the enterprise, go over with their families to New 

 England, and make it their final home, provided the government 

 of the company could be transferred from London to Massachu- 

 setts. 



After careful examination, and repeated consultation, the 

 great change was adopted. The whole concern was given over 

 to the control of such members as should accompany the trans- 

 ference of the charter to America, Winthrop was elected 

 Governor of the Company, brought the charter here, and, with 

 his associates, entered upon the discharge of all the duties 

 prescribed, and upon the exercise of all the powers conveyed by 

 that instrument — and, as has been observed, they were plenary 

 and unlimited. 



The first Court of Assistants, in America, was held at 

 Charlestown, on the 23d of August, 1630. The last court 

 held in England, had been aboard the Arabella, on the 23d of 

 March, 1630. Governor Winthrop presided on both occasions. 



As the original company was thus transferred to the Colony, 

 the Deputy Government under Endicott ceased to exist, and he 

 took his seat, at the second meeting of the Court in Charles- 

 town, on the 7th of September, as one of the Assistants. 



Mr. Upham then gave a brief sketch of the date of the 

 establishment of the other colonial governments, as follows : — 



Maine and New Hampshire were, in the earlier period of 

 Colonial history, for the most part considered as attached to, 

 and under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. 



Connecticut was organized into a separate government in 

 1639, consisting, then, of the three towns of Windsor, Hartford, 

 and Wethersfield. 

 , New Haven was organized as a body politic soon after, in the 

 same year. United to Connecticut in 1665. 



